Singing 'Kilimanjaro' is a dream come true - Chinmayi
Popular playback singer Chinmayi Sripada, who sang the foot-tapping chartbuster 'Kilimanjaro, Malai Kanimanjaro' in the multi-crore Rajinikanth starrer 'Endhiran', says it was a dream come true for her to sing a second time in a movie featuring the Tamil superstar.
The music has been composed by double Oscar winner A R Rahman.
Chinmayi,who sang the duet along with Javed Ali, said she was initially apprehensive as she did not know if her voice would be retained "as it was such a huge film. "I wonder if anyone has it like SPB (S P Balasubramaniam) sir to sing in every one of his films. But to me I have always wished to be singing in Superstar's film and to get my dream come true the second time was a true blessing."
"And a song like Kilimanjaro which is such a fun, entertaining track... singing the song was an amazing experience. It being retained in my voice was a blessing”, said the 25-year-old singer.
The peppy number was picturised on a debonair Rajini and an alluring Aishwaraya Rai, shot at Peru's Machu Picchu.
Earlier, she had sung 'Sahana' in the Rajini starrer 'Shivaji', again with Rahman being the music composer.
Chinmayi,who sang under Rahman's baton the first time-'Oru Deviam Thande Poove'-- in 'Kannanthil Muthamittal' some years ago, said she is forever indebted to Rahman for making her the singer she is today and for reviving her from total obscurity that she once stood at the threshold of.
"When almost no one gave me songs, he was the only one who would. Yes I did become slightly emotional (while watching Endhiran) and sent a silent thanks to God and a telepathic thanks to Rahman sir for making it happen."
Asked about critics saying the movie soundtrack lacks the Rahman magic, she said:"How can someone even define the word magic? To me,not just as a singer who has had the good fortune to sing his creations, as a fan and a rasika it is difficult to define the word magic, no matter what Oxford Dictionary says, leave alone his magic or the legend that is Rahman. Indians take great pleasure in celebrating a genius and then go into mindless criticism once the celebrity starts doing well."
The problem with critics, or maybe a lot of them is they themselves are not clear about what they are looking for or what they want, she said. "A lot of the critics are on this hullabaloo about Rahman sir post his Oscars because he has achieved the impossible..."
Besides Kilimanjaro, her favorite track in the film is 'Arima Arima'. "I was highly hooked to Kaadhal Anukkal as it was the first track to be released. And then Arima. And now its the Chitti Dance Showcase," she said.
Asked about the 'controversy' about Aabhas Joshi replacing her as host in the Star plus-Saibaba telefilm Chhote Ustaad show, Chinmayi said she wondered if people even noticed her there to make it a controversy.
She said only South Indians were very proud that a girl from Chennai went on a Hindi channel. It was a big thing for people from here. To people there it hardly mattered. "There were a lot of things going on with Chote Ustaad which I think was also all over the media. It was not the be-all and end-all of my life. I was very apprehensive when asked to do it. Then I decided to take it up to give it a fair shot. Also, there is a way I like to lead my life, which would adhere to certain norms. Anything that goes beyond that is not my purview."
She said she saw Aabhas doing a Tapori act and several other acts which would have been impossible for her to do."Almost as if a lot of acting is involved.In the Sholay special, even children were acting more and singing less. It is a good thing I am not on the show. Nonetheless I am thankful to Saibaba Telefilms.. It's not always that a girl from Chennai is given an opportunity like that."
It has been quite a rewarding two years for Chinmayi. She won the Tamil Nadu state award for the 'Sahana' number last year, Filmfare award for 'Vaarayo' (Aadhavan-Haris Jairaj music composer), chartbusters in 'Anbil Avan...' in Vinnai Thaandi Varuvaaya and now Kilimanjaro (all this year).
Asked if 'Maiyya Yashoda' number with Javed Ali in 'Jhootha hi Sahi', again under Rahman, which is due for release would also be a chartbuster, she said it was drawing good reviews. "Depends on what the Almighty has decided for me. I had a very popular number in Lamhaa called Madhno/Saajna composed by Mithoon which released some time in June and at the half-yearly mark, it found a place in the top ten romantic numbers of 2010 and was highly spoken of. Yes God has been kind and it has been a good year so far."
Asked how different was Haris Jairaj's music from Rahman's, she said she was not sure if she had the capacity or talent to compare or even comment on a composer's creation. "To me Varayo is a special song not just because it has given me seven awards so far, but the experience of singing with Unnikrishnan ji. Even as a listener I loved the melody.. This song has given me such widespread appreciation...”
